The Doll (عروسک)

A film whose director never had the chance to watch it with his audience! Asghar Yousefinejad, who was preparing for the release of his third film and its appearance at international festivals, tragically passed away after a stroke, missing the opportunity to see his work on the big screen. Following his death, Doll was shown at various festivals and screened in Iran’s Art and Experience cinema group.

Doll (known as Gholchak in Turkish), was made five years after Yousefinejad’s acclaimed film Ev (The Home). It is a social drama with elements of dark comedy, exploring human relationships and how individuals react when faced with different family and social dilemmas. Despite the success of his previous film, Ev, which garnered attention from audiences and earned various awards, Doll was rejected by the Fajr Film Festival that year. This rejection sparked a prolonged battle that ultimately cost Yousefinejad his life, as he suffered a stroke amidst the ongoing tensions. Ironically, some members of the selection committee had praised the film as a noteworthy and appealing piece of work.

Like his previous film, Doll is entirely in Turkish. The story follows a man named Eyub, who invites his relatives to his wedding, despite the fact that the case of his former wife, Shamsi, is still open at the police station. He hasn’t yet introduced his new wife to anyone, hoping to surprise everyone at the wedding. The film features performances by Nasser Hashemi, Firooz Aghali, Parastoo Fanid, Fatemeh Esmaeili, and a number of talented Turkish-speaking actors.

Though Yousefinejad only directed a few films, he demonstrated the immense potential of regional storytelling, showing that compelling films can be made outside Tehran and in languages other than standard Persian. A writer and critic for many years, he brought fresh perspectives to Iranian cinema in his short time as a director.

With its long-take shots and mystery-driven plot, Doll can captivate audiences regardless of the language barrier, offering a unique viewing experience. Watch Doll (Gholchak) in memory of the late Asghar Yousefinejad.